Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows for safely operating a vehicle when an automatic steering control feature of a guidance control system is in operation. One or more sensors are used to determine whether the operator is in the vehicle. If the sensors detect that the operator has left the vehicle, the vehicle is shut off. The safety system includes one or more software programs that operate to determine whether the guidance control system is operating properly. More specifically, a control unit is coupled to the microprocessor and the steering control mechanism for determining whether or not an error condition has occurred. In the event that an error condition has occurred, the guidance control system is disengaged and control of the vehicle is turned over to the operator. In one embodiment, the safety system determines whether the operator is ready to take control of the vehicle prior to disengaging the guidance control system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows for corrections to be made to the path of a vehicle when an automatic steering control feature of a guidance control system is in operation. A sensor is coupled to the steering system detects movement of the steering wheel by the operator. When the operator moves the steering wheel the logic of the correction controller adjusts the travel path of the vehicle to correspond to the movement of the steering wheel. In one embodiment the travel path is adjusted by instructions transmitted to the controller of the guidance control system. Correction of the travel path may also be obtained by the operation of a keypad or a joystick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which overrides a guidance control system so as to disengage the automatic steering control feature when an emergency condition is determined to exist. A sensor is coupled to the steering system which detects movement of the steering wheel. When movement of the steering wheel is sufficiently abrupt, the logic of the override system generates an override signal. The override signal is communicated to the guidance control system so as to return control of the vehicle to the user. The sensor is connected to either the steering wheel itself or to the hydraulic system. When the vehicle includes an electro-hydraulic system, the logic system may be directly connected to the electrical circuits of the electro-hydraulic system. Multiple sensors may be used for activation of the override. In one embodiment a sensor is coupled to the braking system for sensing depression of the brake pedal. In another embodiment, a sensor is coupled to the clutch system for sensing depression of the clutch petal.

Abstract: A data message formatting program, method and system uses a script-driven, Output Description Language (ODL) program module. The ODL module interprets and executes instructions from an ASCII .ODL script file. The .ODL instructions and the ODL programming language cooperate with the output of a conventional data entry and display program module. The close coupling of the data structures of the data entry module and the ODL module provide a powerful means for automatically re-formatting data entered prior to transmission over a communication network. The .ODL file may be generated by a system administrator or user with a conventional text editor by following an Output Description Language Programming manual. The .ODL file and ODL module are designed to be used in combination with a Form Interpretive module (FIM) and corresponding form data file which are also installed on the system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring the absolute value of the reflection coefficient between a transmission line of known characteristic impedance and the output port of an automatic level controlled source (i.e., ALC source). The ALC source is activated and a signal source is coupled to the output port of the ALC source via the transmission line to apply a test signal of amplitude V.sub.t to perturb the output signal of the ALC source. The magnitude of the amplitude modulation component of the resulting perturbed output signal is detected for use in combination with the value of V.sub.t in calculating the absolute value of the reflection coefficient. An apparatus is also disclosed for applying measuring the absolute value of the reflection coefficient. Alternatively, an on-carrier test signal is employed to perturb the output signal.